Randy Newman’s “Korean Parents”
Some Jewish kids still trying
Some white kids trying too
But millions of real American kids don’t have a clue
Right here on the lot
We got the answer
A product guaranteed to satisfy …Korean parents for sale
You say you need a little discipline
Someone to whip you into shape
They’ll be strict but they’ll be fairLook at the numbers
That’s all I ask
Who’s at the head of every class?
You really think they’re smarter than you are
They just work their asses off
Their parents make them do it …
Over the weekend, I started reading about this new song by Randy Newman (Jewish, not at all Korean) extolling the virtues of Korean parents. I am more than a little wary of the song, especially since Newman claims that the music is “stereotypically Asian.” What the heck does that mean?
I just feel like this kind of stuff feeds into popular conceptions of the model minority stereotype, objectifies Asian Americans, homogenizes the Asian American experience in general, and continues to pave the way for people who are not Asian American to talk about our experiences AND to make fun of satirize us.
What do you think?
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wtf?
At times like this, I think of Mike Park’s lyrics to “From Korea”:
A new acquaintance I met last week
used the word n*gger in casual speak
he said don’t worry
you’re not like them
you may be Chinese but you’re just like me
Screw this I’m leaving
I don’t need a racist friend
and I’m not like you
I’m from Korea
my eyes are small
but your eyes are closed
To hear his tunes, check out: http://www.myspace.com/mikepark